The scene opened in the Royal Office's council room.
The members of the royal council were seated around a large table, waiting for King Jugram to arrive.
A few moments later, the doors opened.
King Jugram entered the room alongside his younger brother, Darius, the king's advisor, and Zuko, the Chief Commander of the military.
The King took his seat at the head of the table. Zuko sat beside him, while Darius took the seat on his other side.
Everyone stood and bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty."
King Jugram nodded.
"Please, sit down, everyone. Shall we begin?"
As everyone took their seats, the King looked around the table.
"What's the situation at the borders?"
One of the councilors replied, "Everything is under control, Your Majesty. There haven't been any incidents. The borders remain peaceful."
King Jugram nodded.
"Any messages from the other kingdoms regarding trade?"
Darius answered, "The Northern Kingdom has offered a trade agreement. Since winter is approaching, they would like to trade resources with us."
"Hmm..."
King Jugram rested his hands on the table.
"The War of Kingdoms ended thirteen years ago, when all the Dreakors were wiped out. I wonder why it took them so long to finally shake hands with us and begin trading with the other kingdoms."
After a brief pause, he continued,
"Nevertheless, it's a good sign for both kingdoms and for their future."
King Jugram looked at Darius.
"Darius, you shall handle the rest."
Darius bowed respectfully.
"It would be my pleasure, Your Majesty."
With that, King Jugram left the council room with Zuko.
Darius turned back to the council members.
"So, I was thinking about the Northern Kingdom's trade proposal..."
Before he could continue, the doors suddenly swung open.
Lyra, Darius's daughter, hurried into the council room.
"Father! I need to tell you something important!"
The knights behind her quickly spoke.
"We tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen."
Darius raised a hand.
"It's alright."
He then looked at the council members.
"I think we should end today's meeting here. We'll continue tomorrow, if you all don't mind."
The council members nodded and quietly left the room.
Once they were alone, Darius looked at Lyra.
"What was so urgent that you had to interrupt the council meeting?"
"It's Kira!" Lyra said anxiously. "He ran away."
Darius frowned.
"What? Where?"
"I don't know. He only left a message saying, 'Don't look for me.'"
Darius let out an angry sigh.
"Why did my children have to turn out like this..." he muttered in disappointment.
Lyra looked at him.
"Aren't you going to look for him?"
"I don't give a damn about him," Darius replied coldly. "It's better that that monster ran away. At least I won't have to see his face again."
He paused before adding,
"And if you ever meet him, just tell him not to do anything that brings disgrace to My name. He's already done enough of that."
Darius looked at Lyra.
"What about your other brother?"
Lyra hesitated.
"Um... he's probably lying somewhere drunk."
Darius threw his hands up in frustration.
"Good Lord! What am I supposed to do with these children?"
He let out a deep sigh.
"My elder brother, Jugram, has two sons who are both working hard. One of them has even awakened the Ultimate Voltra."
He paused before continuing.
"And my late younger brother, Ryuk's son, Zuko, has become the Chief Commander of the military."
He shook his head in disappointment.
"And then there are my children. One is a wild monster who's dumb as a rock, and the other is a drunkard."
He looked directly at Lyra.
"Tell your drunken brother to join the Voltra Combat Team with you. Maybe he'll gain some real battle experience."
"Yes, Father."
Darius folded his arms.
"Tell me about that Dreakor girl, Hikari. What's she up to?"
Lyra replied, "Father, I managed to become friends with her. No one in the kingdom wants to be her friend. Everyone hates her because of the history of her family's cruelty. She joined the Kaiju Combat Team with Light and Lothar."
"Enough. I already know that."
Darius interrupted her.
"I'm asking about her motive. Does she have any desire to rule the Central Kingdom in the future? By law, she was supposed to become the ruler of this kingdom, but she was only a child when her family was wiped out. That's why dreakor king Leo appointed Jugram as king until she grew up."
Lyra shook her head.
"No, Father. She never mentioned anything like that. She only wants to protect innocent people so they can accept her. She wants everyone in the kingdoms to understand that not all Dreakors are cruel and that she has nothing to do with her family's crimes."
Darius sighed.
"Poor girl... She's trying to do something that's nearly impossible."
After a brief silence, he spoke again.
"Keep an eye on her and tell me anything you find out."
"Whatever you say, Father."
Meanwhile...
Jane walked back into the house after her conversation with Light.
Her mother looked at her with anger.
"Jane, what was all that? After everything that happened to me, I never wanted to see another Voltra Being again. And now you're bringing another Voltra Being into my life?"
She clenched her fists.
"You know how much I hate them. You know how much I hated your father. I hate everything about Voltra. Even hearing the word 'Voltra' disgusts me."
She lowered her voice.
"I can't even bear to look at you sometimes because you inherited your father's Voltra blood."
Jane lowered her head.
"I know, Mom... and I'm sorry. He's not my friend. I don't know why he has this sympathy for me. Even back at the academy, he tried to help me whenever the other students bullied me. But I always ignored him and kept my distance."
Her mother looked at her for a moment before saying,
Jane's mother continued,
"Oh... maybe he loves you."
"But even if he does, don't ever believe those Voltra Beings. They can't truly love anyone. The only thing they love is power. All they want is to enslave those who are weaker than them."
She looked directly at Jane.
"I don't know how many times I have to tell you this, but because of your father, your childhood was ruined... and now your youth is being ruined as well."
After a brief pause, she added,
"And the situation we're living in right now... it's all because of those Voltra Beings."